Omar Passons. Photo courtesy County News Center, County of San Diego Communications OfficeThe San Diego County Health and Human Services Thursday announced that a health care policy expert and land use attorney will join the agency as its new director of integrative services.
Omar Passons will report to HHSA Director Nick Macchione while monitoring the agency’s delivery of health, housing and social services. Passons also will work with the county’s Housing and Community Development Services on increasing the availability of affordable housing.
“Omar is the type of innovative and mission-oriented leader we value at the agency,” Macchione said. “His personal connection to our community coming out of our foster care system, long-standing commitment in helping build the human capacity of people and place, along with his diverse, professional experience make him a great fit to lead Integrative Services.”
Passons ran in this year’s June primary for a seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and previously worked as the vice president of community development and policy at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation. He has also served as a health policy analyst for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ office of disease prevention and health promotion.
“I have been deeply committed to working to address challenges facing our communities as a volunteer and leader, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help get more San Diegans the services and opportunities they need to be healthy and safe, and to thrive,” Passons said.
“The county’s Live Well San Diego framework presents a natural foundation to work across land use, public health, community, economic development and public safety to strengthen our region.”
Passons will begin working with the agency on Nov. 9, according to the county.
–City News Service
